US Edition
Solheim Cup: Jodi Ewart Shadoff overlooked for two Scandinavians outside top 100
The English golfer's husband, broadcaster Adam Shadoff, questioned the decision to omit the world No 51
Europe captain Suzann Pettersen has defended overlooking Jodi Ewart Shadoff for next month’s Solheim Cup after the English pro’s husband called the wildcard picks “perplexing”.
Pettersen surprised nobody by naming Sweden’s Madelene Sagstrom and Scotland’s Gemma Dryburgh – the only two Europeans in the world’s top 50 who had not automatically qualified – as her first two picks.
But eyebrows certainly disappeared under visors when the Norwegian unveiled two more fellow Scandinavians in Emily Kristine Pedersen and Caroline Hedwall to complete the dozen. They are the world Nos 114 and 120 respectively and with Ewart Shadoff, ranked more than 60 places above both at No 51, there was inevitably disquiet.
Pettersen spoke to Ewart Shadoff, 35, before the announcement live on Sky Sports on Tuesday afternoon, but in Florida her partner was evidently not impressed with the snub.
Adam Shadoff, a TV sports presenter in Orlando, acknowledged “I am biased”, but in a post on social media that was later deleted, he questioned why the three-time Solheim Cupper, who won on the LPGA Tour 10 months ago, was deemed surplus to requirements for the encounter at Finca Cortesin, on the Costa del Sol, in four weeks’ time.
In fairness, Hedwall, a former Solheim partner of Pettersen’s, has four blue-and-gold appearances in her locker as well as the proud status as the first player in the biennial dust-up to win five points out of five at the 2013 edition.
She has lost her LPGA Tour card, but has shown signs of improvement in the last month, having finished sixth at the Women’s Scottish Open and fifth at the Aramco Series in St Albans. Pedersen, however, has only enjoyed one top 10 in the last year.
“I can’t think of a more feisty matchplay competitor than Caroline and she has that experience ,” Pettersen told Telegraph Sport. “It’s the same with Emily – she’s a tough competitor.
“It was such a tough decision and I now know what past captains meant when they told me this was the hardest part of the job – letting people down. I spoke to as many as I could who were in contention for a pick and it was horrible.”
With Céline Boutier, Georgia Hall, Charley Hull, Leona Maguire, Linn Grant, Maja Stark, Carlota Ciganda and Anna Nordqvist already in as the eight automatics, Pettersen is confident her team has what it takes to win an unprecedented third Solheim Cup in succession. “This could be the best team Europe has ever put out,” Pettersen said.